WASHINGTON — Allies of President-elect Donald Trump in Congress expressed support for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for the Pentagon role, on Thursday. This came in light of emerging allegations from 2017 related to an incident of sexual assault involving Hegseth.
The backing for Hegseth unfolded alongside the withdrawal of another contentious nominee, Matt Gaetz, from consideration for the attorney general position. Gaetz acknowledged that he had become a “distraction” amid scrutiny over an ethics report concerning allegations of his sexual misconduct. An attorney representing two women indicated that Gaetz allegedly paid them for sex starting in 2017, during his tenure as a congressman from Florida.
As inquiries into the backgrounds of Hegseth and Gaetz arose, Republicans found themselves facing pressure from Trump and his supporters to expedite the confirmations of his Cabinet members. During this transition period, there has been noticeable reluctance from Trump’s team to engage in the thorough vetting and background checks that are standard practice for nominees.
While many Republican senators refrained from openly criticizing Trump’s nominations, Gaetz’s exit revealed that private reservations existed among them. Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma regarded Gaetz’s decision to withdraw as a “positive move,” and fellow senator Roger Wicker from Mississippi echoed similar sentiments, calling it a “positive development.” Maine senator Susan Collins remarked that Gaetz “put country first and expressed satisfaction with his choice.”
Following discussions with Hegseth, a different narrative unfolded as Republican senators forged a united front in support of him. Wicker noted optimism about Hegseth’s prospects, stating, “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” anticipating his new role as the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Senators’ cautious language and initial hesitance to challenge any nominees illustrated their anxiety over potential repercussions from Trump as well as their desire for the confirmation process to proceed smoothly. This is particularly relevant given the ongoing discussions about Gaetz’s withdrawal after meetings with senators earlier in the week.
Senator Thom Tillis acknowledged the tense circumstances surrounding Gaetz’s decision, yet suggested it wouldn’t significantly affect the fate of Trump’s remaining nominees. He commented, “Transactions — one at a time,” implying that each candidate should be assessed independently.
As the process regarding Hegseth’s nomination advanced, Republicans seemed to be relying on the notion that they would encounter minimal backlash for placing the allegations against Hegseth aside. This is especially notable in light of Trump’s election victory despite having been found liable for sexual abuse in a preceding year.
Hegseth engaged in a series of private discussions on Thursday with incoming Vice President JD Vance in efforts to garner support. He later told press members, “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.”
A recently released 22-page police report provided the first comprehensive summary of allegations against him, detailing an encounter from 2017 in which a woman claimed Hegseth assaulted her after blocking her exit from a hotel room in California. The report includes testimonies from the alleged victim and others present during the incident.
Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Palatore, asserted that the accusations were thoroughly examined, resulting in no charges. He further stated that Hegseth settled with the woman in 2023 to preempt her claims from what he characterized as a baseless lawsuit.
Wicker downplayed the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News presenter, emphasizing that since no official charges arose, only media reports should be regarded. Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee shared his opinions after meeting with Hegseth, expressing sadness over the controversy surrounding him and labeling the allegations as a “he-said, she-said thing.”
Hagerty believed it was unfortunate that such matters were surfacing, urging that the focus should remain on the Defense Department, which Hegseth would assume control of. He underscored the complexities of the Pentagon, which encompasses over 3 million personnel, including both military and civilian members. Although sexual assault has been a persistent issue in the armed forces, Pentagon officials maintain cautious optimism regarding what appears to be a decline in reports of such incidents among active service members and at military academies.
Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming, who is set to be the second-ranking Republican in the Senate in the upcoming year, expressed after discussing with Hegseth that he is a strong candidate, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing military strength and hard power over any current administration’s “woke political agenda.”
As the Senate prepares to assume office in January, Republicans are feeling the urge to conduct confirmation hearings and endorse nominees before Trump’s inauguration. Questions linger regarding the adequacy of screening for Trump’s selections or whether individuals like Hegseth possess the necessary experience for such roles.
Jack Reed, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s incoming Democrat chair, stated that the reports concerning Hegseth underline the necessity for a comprehensive investigation by the FBI into the backgrounds of all nominees.
Cabinet nominations can be approved with a simple majority, meaning that if all Democrats oppose a nominee, four Republican senators would also need to defect for any of Trump’s choices to be unsuccessful. Trump has openly indicated readiness to exert significant pressure on Senate Republicans, even suggesting he may prefer nominees to be appointed without Senate votes.
Currently, however, Senate members insist that they will maintain their constitutional duties. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he believes are suitable, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” remarked Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota, referring to the situation involving Gaetz by stating, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.”